While I was completely justified for condemning Crocs earlier, I've seen the perfect summer sandal for a guy like me who doesn't really want to wear sandals, but gets very hot feet otherwise.

Just check out these Merrell Kahuna walking sandals. That's right, I said walking sandals. Basically, take the typical walking shoes, rip off the uppers, some bits at the side and back and you end up with these. I think that's the ideal behind them. So essentially a walking sandal is exactly the same as a walking shoe, but with less material surrounding your foot so that they stay cooler because the air can get to the skin. Looks good to me for when we take my parent's dogs on a long summer walk.

I've really got into going for a walk lately, usually after a big dinner or sunday roast. There's something lovely about taking in the countryside that you tend to miss when you're running past at a hundred miles an hour, dodging dog walkers, traffic and whatever else comes your way.

Obviously I'm not going running in these things, although I suppose I could. They have all the support in the right places. But then, I'm buying these as a good looking fashion shoe for my hot and sweaty feet in summer. Maybe I'll go for a casual run and see how they do. Might have to mind the stoney paths though.

Last night I got all creative in the kitchen and made me and Bex some Turkish Lamb which went down a storm, even if it was rather spicy.

Now, I'm crap when it comes to cooking, but I managed to find a couple of health, running and walking websites online. I found this one in particular which seems quite new, but if you don't mind all the adverts, there's some really good articles to checkout.

They seem to be getting all kinds of shoes to review for trail running and walking as well. After reading their Hi-Tec Auckland WP review, I'm seriously considering getting a pair. While I might love the Merrell shoes I got just after Christmas, I'm reluctant to get them covered in filth because they're really nice and actually quite trendy. Walking trainers are the new fashion shoe according to this article. I'm not entirely convinced, but I'm really happy with my Merrell shoes, even if they are for hardcore hiking. I may have to invest in a pair of Merrell trainers instead.

I'll never understand how Bex can fork out a small fortune on shoes of all things when they'll just get tatty over time. This is why I generally don't spend more than £30 on a pair of trainers. Smart office shoes; obviously you pay more because they're smart, but they last longer because you don't wear them as much.

So while I'd like nice shoes, I'm reluctant to spend much money on them because they're going to get trashed. Or if I buy expensive shoes for a specific purpose, I can't bring myself to wear them if they're really nice. Okay, I'm gonna buy a pair of those Hi-Tec Auckland shoes, because they're good and cheap. They might look nice, but they're so cheap I won't care if they get trashed. I think that solves my problem.
 

Met up with an old work colleague for a drink and a catch up last night. Haven't seen the chap in about 6 months since I left my last job. But he was the same cheerful guy, who while not happy in his work was still very content in life, skiing in the French Alps (the week before us I might add), back packing in Australia and going on Safari in Africa with his camera.

The guy produces some truly breathtaking photographs. It's just a pitty that he can't do that professionally instead of the rut he appears to be stuck in with his career.

So when the talk turned to running and his love of triathlons (he's propper hardcore!) he told me that his wife was training for the Ironman.
"Rather her than me"
"That's what I said!" he replied.

While we were in the pub I also saw a fella with a pair of Merrell shoes and commented in passing, because you never see people wearing Merrells. Okay, I had mine on and for a breif moment I was cool, hip and trendy. I might buy some trainers like the ones he had, simply because they looked quite awesome. Bex is turning me into a vain and fashionable young man it seems.

Pacer poles are supposed to give you more power in your pace and help to take weight off of your legs. You just hold them while you're walking and they do all the work for you. Or make it easier. So basically, pacer poles transmit maximum arm power and leverage into the ground to help propell you along. But what's the point in that? The idea of exercise is that you're meant to push your body to get better results, not try to make a casual stroll of a long hike.

<sarcasm> Maybe I should make my running easier with a pair of roller skates for the downhill bits? </sarcasm>